“Looks like jalapenos”

October 11, 2008 · Filed under Cindy's posts, Your photos · Tagged Brennan, Cedar Rapids, community garden party, floods, flowers, Iowa, jalapenos, mina lobata, Spanish flag, vine

   My son, Brennan, planted this Spanish Flag vine from seed he found at the Oakhill Jackson community garden party earlier this year. The community garden that was planted in southeast Cedar Rapids, like much else in that neighborhood, unfortunately succumbed to flooding. But happily, the seeds sown elsewhere thrived.  The foliage of this plant reminded me of sweet potatoes when it first was growing. Brennan said the flower “looks like jalapenos,” an apt description.

   From what I’ve found, Spanish flag, (botanical name: Mina lobata) is an annual vine that grows in full sun and well-drained soil. Brennan’s was planted under a tree, so he must have the right touchJ